Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between early fluid accumulation and mortality in children with shock states.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed children admitted in shock states to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary level children’s hospital over a 7-month period. The study was designed as a matched case–control study. Children with early fluid overload, defined as fluid accumulation of ≥10 % of admission body weight during the initial 3 days, were designated as the cases. They were compared with matched controls without early fluid accumulation. Cases and controls were matched for age, severity of illness at ICU admission and need for organ support. They were compared with respect to all-cause ICU mortality and other secondary outcomes.